America's Cup 2017: Team New Zealand and Oracle Team USA split race wins on day three

Team New Zealand have moved within three race wins of regaining the America's Cup, but it won't be easy as Oracle showed major improvements on the third day of racing.

A dominant win on the day's first race suggested a clean sweep was on the cards for the Kiwi boat, but Oracle fought back to sail a near-perfect race six and win their first point of the final.

Despite winning the start, Oracle sped past the Kiwis on the first leg and maintained it around the first three marks.

Team NZ made huge gains during the fourth leg and took the lead rounding the mark, but a massive wind-shift that favoured the holders saw the Kiwis trail around the fifth mark, and they couldn't pull the Americans back, making it 4-1 Team NZ.

Earlier in the day Team USA had no answers. The Kiwi syndicate won by more than two minutes in race five of the final series, leaving them needing three more wins to lift the Auld Mug.

After a five-day break which allowed both teams to improve their boat speed, Team USA spoiled any gains they might have made by being penalised twice.

Anxious to grab an early lead, they were too quick across the start line and were handed a two-length penalty.

The holders fought back and actually held the lead for a short period early on leg three upwind.

However, they were penalised again during a tacking duel, deemed to have not given enough room to Team NZ when the boats crossed.

The boats went their separate ways for the remainder of the race in light-to- moderate breeze, the Americans' hopes not helped by a poor gybe which lost them about 200m.

Team USA skipper Jimmy Spithill admitted changes made to his boat - including the removal of their lone "cyclor" pedestal - had made it lighter but more "on edge", meaning it lacks the same control it had previously.

Racing resumes tomorrow morning (NZT).

Newshub.